From the Library

Third graders have been reading books about clever girls who overcome challenges to help their friends and families. We started off with Kate DiCamillo's beloved Bink and Gollie series. These two marvelous companions use their gray matter to compromise, eat pancakes, shop the sock bonanza in aisle ten at Eccles' Empire of Enchantment, play Whack-a-Duck at the state fair, attempt to break world records, and remain best friends forever. We then read the new book The Hard-Times Jar about a girl in a migrant family.  Ask your daughter how Clever Beatrice outsmarts the giant of the north woods and wins bags of gold. And then ask her how Princess Rosamond keeps the royal accounts and the castle drawbridge in order while saving up for a new set of royal dishes, all while collecting healing waters to save her ailing father, in The Well at the End of the World. In The Secret River, Calpurnia bravely wards off bear, panther and hoot owls, and saves the town by changing hard times into soft times with her magical catfish.

Digital Citizenship

In third grade, students begin using different types of apps like CCSearch, which "build(s) a more equitable, accessible, and innovative world" and Edmodo, which is a way for students to connect and collaborate online.  Using these apps opens our communication about being a digital citizen.

Following units from Common Sense Media, we begin by talking about Rings of Responsibility to answer the question, "What kinds of responsibilities does a good digital citizen have?"   Next, we focus on being a Super Digital Citizen to answer the question: "How can people help others to be good digital citizens?"  The students have created super heroes to help other students remember online responsibilities.

Rolling Along In Math

The girls continue to strengthen their knowledge of the base ten number system. This is a fun hands on activity to reinforce the concept of place value.

Each player rolls a dice and then determines where to place the digit in order to build the highest five digit number. 

Being able to view the number your partner is making, strategic planning, and a high roll all help to win each round.

French: Two weeks until take-off

The third grade girls have their passports and tickets.  They have finished shopping for all of the things that they will need in Paris and have packed their suitcases.  We leave in two weeks and the girls are very excited.  Here is a video of a few girls shopping for their trip.  Enjoy.

Third Grade Fun From Artifacts to Reading Aloud!

Music: Bridges in Folk Dance

The girls have loved the folk dance called "Bridge to Athlone."  It involves several folk dance steps like do si do, but their favorites are the many kinds of bridges and tunnels!

Art: One Point Perspective

Third graders have been using one point perspective to create real or imaginary interiors and landscapes. Girls have used various strategies to show deep space in a drawing. Ask your third grader which strategies she has been using.